"Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" | Bold minus vulgarity
After months of sweet glances, harmless stalking, and little smiles, Mudith (Ayushmann Khurana) finally musters up the courage to go ahead and talk to Sugandha (Bhumi Pednekar), who works in the same neighbourhood at Nehru Place. But owing to a major yet riotous mishap he fails to do so, and upon (elderly) advice, Mudith opts to take a digital step ahead in laying the foundation of their relationship. After setting the ball rolling with Delhi’s typical love-arrange-love marriage, Mudith discovers that he has a “gents’ problem” for which he fears his performance after marriage. Precisely, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan is the comic story of a young would-be bridegroom, who suddenly discovers that he has erectile dysfunction upon getting close with his fiancée.
The first half of the film takes you on a roller-coaster ride of interminable laughter, with the protagonists’ situation, quirky dialogues, metaphoric actions and doses of the daily middle-class family circus. But the innuendos and hilarious dialogues get subdued post interval, unraveling melodrama and over-involvement of the families into the couple’s life, which eventually ruins the well-knitted plot with tension and unwanted excitement. Yet, somehow the sweet love story clings on and makes its way into your heart, leaving you with a smile on your face when you step out of the theatre. The everyday little moments of joy have been captured to perfection by RS Prasanna.
While Ayushmann delivers the ideal emotions portraying the character of Mudith, Bhumi’s Suggu at times feels superficial but picks up quickly with the pace of the film. The director has done a fantastic job executing one of the most private problems a man might face in life, with several sugar-coated metaphorical acts – neither would you cringe, nor would you feel embarrassed but only enjoy as the film gradually unveils the tale of pathos and brilliant humour (bit of an oxymoron, right? wink!). The film not only portrays a serious stress-caused issue but also points out the complications and mess that might cause things to fall out in marriage when parents pry into the privacy of the to-be/newly married.
Hitesh Kewalya must be credited for his mastery in penning the appropriate dialogues and creating layers of amusement through the characters. The music by Tanishk-Vayu suits the required scenario, making you a part of the story. Watch out for the song ‘Kanha;’ it is a melody to take resort to, with the loved one in mind. The film brings back several memories from the lead duo’s first film Dum Laga Ke Haisha, with Haridwar in the backdrop, familiar faces and over-concerned family members about their grown up kids’ sexual life! Like Dum Laga Ke..., Shubh Mangal... also portrays Ayushmann’s character as the troubled one, and Bhumi’s character supporting him emotionally and morally out of unending love.
Like all Anand L Rai productions, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan is a fun filled experience to indulge in, with friends. The little jokes about going digital, naughty sibling affairs, and the blessing of erotic videos, all in good humour, is what makes it a feel-good film to watch out for this year. Those, set to get married soon will have an opportunity to lighten up from premarital nerves, as the film has every element needed to earn the cap of a good comedy. Laugh your way through!
